Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Justice at Lesley University

The Office of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Justice (EDIJ)

Formally established in 2021, the EDIJ Office powers the university's mission of preparing graduates who will shape a more just, humane, and sustainable world. The EDIJ Office grew out of the priorities set by the President’s Committee for Inclusive Excellence and the Lesley University Diversity Council. These two bodies established our office as a coalescing force that would operationalize the University’s commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, and justice.

To that end, we focus on these three enablers:

• A richly inclusive culture that relies on its diversity to innovate
• An unapologetic passion for recruiting and developing high-caliber employees
• An unrelenting commitment to creating an environment where people experience a true sense of belonging

Working with students, faculty, and professional staff, we help weave equity, diversity, inclusion, and justice throughout all levels and functions of the University’s structure. We're here to create the conditions for everyone in the community to have an enriching and meaningful experience at Lesley.

Our departments

• Multicultural Affairs and Social Inclusion (MASI)
  We create welcoming environments that enable Lesley's diverse community of students, faculty, staff, and alumni to interact with one another through meaningful dialogue and engagement that bridge their differences and strengthen the Lesley community. This department supports affinity spaces for students, resource groups for faculty and staff, wellness and brave spaces, lectures on global topics, and various other ways for students, faculty, and staff to engage around equity, diversity, inclusion, and justice at Lesley and beyond.
  Learn more about Multicultural Affairs and Social Inclusion.
• EDIJ Learning and Development
  We create learning programs and development experiences that recognize and value diverse perspectives without our community. Our aim is to make us a stronger community of learners, teachers, and professionals, as well as to enable our students to incorporate equity, diversity, inclusion, and justice in their lives, their communities, or wherever their paths take them.
  Request a training. Lesley community members can also review training materials through our EDIJ Learning and Development SharePoint site.
• Equal Opportunity and Title IX
  We partner with collaborators and stakeholders to create the conditions that optimally support our Community Standards of Conduct and other University policies.
  Learn more about Equal Opportunity / Title IX.
• Urban Scholars Initiative (USI)
  We help low-income college students, many of whom are the first in their families to attend college, to realize their academic and life potential by supporting their financial, academic, and emotional needs while they matriculate at Lesley University. Through the Urban Scholars Initiative, we provide tuition assistance, tutoring, and mentoring to enable students to graduate from college with modest or no loan debt. Since launching in 2013, more than 200 students have participated and the graduation rate has remained consistently high at 90%.
  Learn more about the Urban Scholars Initiative.